Key takeaways

  • Korlym is used in adults with Cushing syndrome. It helps to manage high blood sugar levels.
  • Korlym is available as an oral tablet that is usually taken once per day.
  • A few examples of side effects of Korlym include nausea and vomiting, fatigue (low energy), and headache.

Korlym contains the active ingredient mifepristone. It belongs to a group of drugs called cortisol receptor blockers.

Korlym is a brand-name medication that’s also available as the generic drug.

Korlym has a boxed warning for risk of pregnancy loss. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Key terms

Brand-name drug: A medication that is made from chemicals that is given a trade name by the manufacturer. It is the original version of a medication that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat a specific condition.

Generic drug: A medication that is a copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original drug but tends to cost less.

Read more: Differences between brand-name and generic drugs.

Korlym is used to manage high blood sugar levels in adults with Cushing syndrome, a rare hormone condition. Specifically, it’s used in adults who have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, and when surgery to treat Cushing syndrome has not worked or is not an option.

Cushing syndrome results from long-term high cortisol levels. Cortisol, commonly known as the stress hormone, regulates the level of sugar in your blood. High cortisol levels can cause your blood sugar to rise, which can lead to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Does Korlym lower cortisol?

No, Korlym does not lower cortisol levels. Instead it works to lower cortisol activity by blocking cortisol receptors.

By blocking the effects of excess cortisol, it stops cortisol from signaling the body to release more glucose (sugar). This helps to lower blood sugar levels.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Korlym. What you’ll pay for Korlym may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

Savings program

A program called the Support Program for Access and Reimbursement for Korlym (SPARK) is available for Korlym. After you enroll in SPARK, a care coordinator can help determine whether you are eligible for the following programs:

  • Korlym Co-Pay Assistance Program
  • Korlym Patient Assistance Program
  • no-cost Korlym

For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 1-855-456-7596 or visit the SPARK website.

Korlym is only available through a specialty pharmacy authorized to carry specialty drugs. A specialty drug may be costly or require help from healthcare professionals to be taken safely and effectively. Talk with your doctor or insurance provider for more details about how you will receive your Korlym prescription.

Korlym is available as an oral tablet and comes in one strength of 300 milligrams (mg). You swallow the tablets whole, do not crush, split, or chew.

The recommended starting dosage of Korlym is 300 mg once per day, taken with a meal. Your doctor may increase your daily dose in amounts of 300 mg every 2 to 4 weeks if needed. The maximum daily dose is 1,200 mg for most people.

If you have liver or kidney disease, your doctor may give you a different dosage. If you have questions about the dosage that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Overdose

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Korlym. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach Poison Help or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Like most drugs, Korlym may cause mild to serious side effects. Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on your age, other health conditions you have, and other medications you take.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Korlym. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

The following lists may not include all the side effects of Korlym. To learn about other side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects

Some of the mild side effects seen with Korlym include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Possible serious side effects of Korlym include:

It is possible to experience an allergic reaction with Korlym. But, this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

If you have serious side effects from Korlym, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Experiencing side effects? After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking this drug and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

The following are important safety factors to consider before starting treatment with Korlym.

Interactions

The following is a list of medications and foods that can interact with Korlym. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with the drug. Talk with your doctor about all the medications, supplements, vitamins, and herbs you are taking to make sure it is safe for you to take mifepristone.

Boxed warning: Risk of pregnacy loss

Korlym has a boxed warning for the risk of pregnancy loss. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Mifepristone (the active ingredient of Korlym) blocks the effects of the hormone progesterone, which prepares the uterus for pregnancy. Because of this effect, Korlym will cause pregnancy loss.

Due to this risk, Korlym should not be used in pregnant people or those planning a pregnancy. Before starting treatment with the drug, your doctor will have you take a pregnancy test to ensure you’re not pregnant. They’ll also check for pregnancy if there’s a pause in Korlym treatment lasting more than 14 days.

If you’re sexually active and can become pregnant, you should use a non-hormonal form of birth control to help prevent pregnancy while taking Korlym and for 1 month after stopping treatment. Talk with your doctor to discuss which options are right for you.

Breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Korlym should be taken while breastfeeding. The active ingredient of Korlym is present in breastmilk. But, the long-term effects of use on breastfeeding or in a breastfed child are not known.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Precautions

Korlym may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

If you have Cushing syndrome, your doctor may prescribe Korlym to help manage high blood sugar levels.

If you have questions about whether Korlym is the right treatment for you or about possible side effects or risks of the medication, talk with your doctor or pharamcist.

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.